This is Beirut goes over Lebanese stadiums named after politicians.
Lebanese politicians are the ones after which most stadiums of the country are named. It is the case in Arab countries, but not in Europe or the rest of the world.
The most famous stadium in Lebanon is “Sports City”, more commonly known as the “Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, with a capacity of 55000 spectators. It was built in the 50’s and is named after the famous Lebanese President. As for the basketball court that is part of it, it bears the name of Pierre Gemayel, who was Minister of Public Works when at the time of construction.
Stadium locations
Tripoli’s main stadium – 22500 seats – was given the name of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami, upon his death in 1988. It is the only stadium in Akkar and the North to carry the name of a politician.
In Batroun, no stadiums are named after politicians, although the Chabeb El Batroun club inaugurated a sports complex a few years ago with the support of the Saudi Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Al Saud.
In Jbeil, two sports complexes are named after former President Michel Sleiman. The first one is Amchit’s club stadium. The second one is in Downtown Jbeil, and is called Michel Sleiman Sports City. The latter features a basketball court that bears the name of Carlos Slim, a Mexican-Lebanese businessman who funded the project.
In Keserwan, the most famous sports facility is the Fouad Chehab stadium, which includes a football court with room for 5000 spectators, a basketball and volleyball court, and a running track. Another venue, the Ghazir club stadium holds the name of Antoine Choueiri, former businessman and star President of Sagesse Club. Zouk, too, has its own facility, the Nohad Nofal Stadium, named after the former Zouk Mikhael head of municipality, which features a basketball court that can house up to 8000 supporters.
In the Metn area, in Baouchrieh more precisely, is the Michel el-Murr sports complex bearing the name of the former MP and deputy Speaker of Parliament. A bit further, in Mar Roukoz, Dekwaneh, former President Emile Lahoud inaugurated the Emile Lahoud military sports complex during his mandate. Further north, in Bekfaya, is the Soumaya Slim stadium, named after Carlos Slim’s wife. Last but not least, the town of Bhamdoun boasts a big football court, the Amine Abdel Nour stadium, with room for 3500 spectators.
In Beirut, aside from the Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, is Saeb Salam basketball court in Manara, named after the former Prime Minister, and the Hatem Achour stadium of the famous businessman and father of Abdallah Achour, president of the Lebanese Handball Federation.
In the south, the Saida municipal stadium has 22600 seats and is named the Rafic Hariri stadium, after the former Prime Minister of the same name. As for the Risala Sarafand club stadium, it bears the name of the current Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri. Further south, the border town of Meiss Ej Jabal is home to the Imam Musa al-Sadr sports facility.
The Julien and Linda Slim stadium has just been inaugurated in Jezzine, funded also by businessman Carlos Slim. An international table tennis tournament will be held there between November 14th and November 20th.
As for the Bekaa area, a new complex was inaugurated there in the town of Khiara, the Gamal Abdel Nasser football stadium, named after the former Egyptian President.
Some stadiums bear the name of non-Lebanese personalities, like the Chayla stadium in Beirut, built in honor of Armand de Blanquet du Chayla, former French Ambassador in Lebanon between 1956 and 1962.
Some of the personalities whose names were given to the stadiums attended their inauguration. Others passed away before they could see the end result.
Some stadiums are well maintained, while others are derelict and in need of renovation works.